LONDON, February 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is concerned that Government proposals put forward by Lord Darzi(1) to aggregate local health services into 'polyclinics' or 'super surgeries' could put at risk the public's access to local pharmacies.

Currently 99% of the population can reach a pharmacy by car, walking or public transport within 20 minutes. The RPSGB has recommended strongly to the Department of Health that impact assessments should be mandatory so that local communities are able to understand the effects of any change.

President of the RPSGB, Hemant Patel, calls for impact assessments to let communities know the full implications: "This is not only an issue of healthcare impact, but also the social and economic impact."

The factors that should be considered are:

Economic: Impact on the sustainability of communities. This is wider than the potential viability of local pharmacy services, but also could call into question local amenities.

Social: The transport links if local services are centralised. The impact on carers, families, and the vulnerable sections of the community.

Healthcare: Local access to primary care for patients, carers, and the public.

Training and development of healthcare staff to meet local healthcare needs.

The RPSGB is committed to supporting the provision of the best possible healthcare for the public and patients. Universal access to pharmacy services in every community supports the Government's drives to improve access and reduce health inequalities and also the broader agenda to make communities sustainable.

(1) BBC Breakfast interview with Lord Darzi 16 February 2008

Contact: Deborah Oliver, +44-7947-010-950 (out of hours)